EU airlines and airports demand suspension of biometric Entry/Exit System this summer

European airline and airport associations have written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning that the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which records fingerprints and facial images of non‑EU travellers, is causing queues of up to five hours at border controls. The groups – ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe and IATA – say the delays are leading to half‑empty aircraft, missed connections and a risk to the EU’s tourism reputation. They request that member states be allowed to suspend the biometric checks whenever passenger volumes exceed operational capacity, especially during July and August when an estimated 40 million additional passengers are expected.

Greece has already suspended checks for British travellers until September, and France and Italy have taken similar temporary measures. Industry officials describe the situation as having reached a “critical point” and argue that the existing flexibility in the rules is insufficient, calling for a permanent operational‑flexibility mechanism and adequate staffing at border points.

The letter stresses that the disruptions affect millions of passengers entering the Schengen area, including families, the elderly and persons with reduced mobility, and that continued problems could undermine confidence in the EU’s regulatory framework.